Stonewall launches new 'coming out' guidance for young peopleThis guide is designed to provide answers to some of the most common questions that young people might have if they are thinking about coming out or think they might be lesbian, gay or bisexualDownload guide 9 Oct 14

So you think your child is gay? - Stonewall's new guide answers parents' common questions. Written in plain English, it dispels the common myths about what being gay means for young peoplestonewall.org.uk8 Feb 13

UK

London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard adds email and instant messaging for the first time - Tel 0300 330 0630llgs.org.uk16 Mar 12

You
can use the GAYtoZ Directory to find advice,
support, and many other services which will help you come out. If you'd
like to
talk to someone, try
London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard on 0300 330 0630.
You're sure to find a friendly
and supportive person to speak to.

However,
they are extremely busy and it may be difficult to get through. Search
through the GAY to Z Directory to find other
local 'Switchboards' and 'Friend' groups around
the country. There are 100s of links and suggestions.

You can also search by TOWN / REGION using the 'Who, What, Where' search at the top of the page.

Many
of these groups also run social clubs especially for young people
coming out. You can meet other people of the same age group who are
also coming out. It's great to share the experience and most of us
keep many of the friends we make when we first venture into the gay
scene.

Want
more ideas?

Buy a copy of GT (Gay Times), DIVA (for women), or ATTITUDE magazines which are available in newsagents around the UK. In London TIME OUT and the Evening Standard both have listings of gay events and activities.

If
you're in London, head for Old Compton Street in Soho where you'll find many gay pubs, shops and cafes, and where you can pick up free copies of the weekly gay newspapers BOYZ,
and QX Magazine.

In
Manchester head for the shops and pubs in Canal Street behind the bus station. BENT and CITY LIFE magazines have gay listings.

In Birmingham head for the bars and shops inHurst Street in the City Centre. Pick up ZONE magazine

In Scotland
look out for ScotsGay magazine.

Around the world

You can use the GAY to Z to search for your country. There is international legal information at ILGA.

Online there are many supportive places to find, including the 'It gets better' project which features videos of hundreds of ordinary lesbian and gay people from all walks of life. If you're looking for young, or old, people in the same situation as yourself, you'll hear their stories of how they came out.

Where do you fit in?

Whether you are unsure of your sexuality, or your gender, or if you just want to find other people in the same boat as you, you can use the GAY to Z Directory to find someone to talk to:

"For many gay men, the last vestige of internalized homophobia is this hatred of how they sound"
Dan Savage talked to David Thorpe, who's new film Do I Sound Gay? premiered at this month's Toronto International Film Festival. It appears 'Gay Voice' is ruining livesadvocate.com22 Sep 14

Sky Sports News presenter comes out
Mark McAdam has come out in an interview with Gay Times saying he has "battled" with his sexuality for years, revealing that he was bullied and physically attacked at school. "Only gay people will ever understand the trauma you go through about accepting your sexuality," he said. "I don't know of any other gay sports reporters."sportsmole.co.uk4 Sep 14

Rugby international Gareth Thomas struggled to come to terms with his sexuality, but it can be just as difficult for everyone else: 'You could say I am making a career out of being gay'telegraph.co.uk3 Sep 14

Being gay doesn't harm your acting career
Sherlock star Andrew Scott: 'The most important thing is to be who you are. I don't like to talk about it too much because, frankly, I don't have much more to say about it'metro.co.uk3 Sep 14

'I was known as Gay Boy
As a kid, bullying makes you weary': Gareth Malone on being bullieddailymail.co.uk 15 Dec 13

Apple approves 'only gay social app for ages 12 and up'
The founders of Distinc.tt believe it's time for a gay social app that doesn't have sex at its core. This is an app that "you can bring home to Mom"cnet.com 15 Dec 13

Tom Daley reveals he is in a gay relationship"In spring this year my life changed massively when I met someone, and they make me feel so happy, so safe and everything just feels great ... That someone is a guy."youtube.com2 Dec 13

Lord Browne - Former BP chief said that he hadn't felt comfortable with speaking about being gay for years, but that he felt better about being open nowthetimes.co.uk subscription 21 Apr 13

Overcoming Adversities as a Gay Teen - documentary tells the story of ten gay males, ages ranging from 15-82. We find out how each of them overcame their adversities as a gay teen throughout each generationyoutu.be15 Feb 13

Paul J Burgess tells the story of his father's incredible transition from a man unable to accept his gay son, to a man fully accepting and embracing of not only his sexuality, but the powerful work of the Pink Triangle Theatre tackling homophobiayoutu.be | pinktriangletheatre.co.uk8 Feb 13

Get involved in Anti-Bullying Week at school - 19-23 Novstonewall.org.uk 19 Nov 12

Ian McKellen and young people talk about the effects of homophobic bullying in this video for Anti-Bullying Week 2012. Find out how you can help tackle this serious problem atstonewall.org.uk 16 Nov 12